i'm running 225/45/17 on the front and 235/45/17 on the rear.... is that gunna affect my handling that much?

Justin e36

11-24-2005, 11:00 PM

YES, it will affect handling A LOT. I learned the difference mighty quick with my 255's on the back.

wider tires can't cut through the snow as easily and rides on top instead... (like ski's). I gave up a set of 225 blizzaks and are going for 205 instead.

mirek

11-24-2005, 11:09 PM

oh well, i guess i'll just call and add full insurance to my car just incase.

Storamin

11-24-2005, 11:32 PM

much cheaper to purchase some 205 tires w/ rims than replacing the whole car... much more relaxing to drive in the winter, too.

rico328i

11-24-2005, 11:39 PM

i'm running 225/45/17 on the front and 235/45/17 on the rear.... is that gunna affect my handling that much?

Are they 'winter' tires you're running? Either way....those are quite wide. Not adviseable. I dropped down to 215/55/16 'winters'.

mirek

11-24-2005, 11:44 PM

m3's run 235 45 as winters..

and yeah, they're Pirelli Winters from the dealership

///MP

11-25-2005, 10:30 AM

i'm running 225/45/17 on the front and 235/45/17 on the rear.... is that gunna affect my handling that much?

As a skier I drive up to Quebec and Collingwood several times during the winter, so I have a lot of experience with this. I've been running those exact sizes on my e36 M3 for a couple years now (w/ Pirelli Snowsport 210) with NO MAJOR PROBLEMS! Yes, in deep snow you have to work a bit more, but it's nothing you can't handle. On the slush and hard pack snow it's just as good as my Accord was on its 195/60R15's. And in the dry, you can't beat a nice wide tire.

That being said, I bought the tires to fit the stock 7.5"F/8.5"R wheels. If you have the chance to pick up some 16x7 rims and run 215 wide tires then go for it. Narrower tires will handle better in deep snow, no doubt. Whatever you do, make sure you go to an empty (snow covered) parking lot and practice skid recovery and all that other fun stuff. Just learn your limitations and then try not to exceed them.

MP

mirek

11-25-2005, 10:35 AM

As a skier I drive up to Quebec and Collingwood several times during the winter, so I have a lot of experience with this. I've been running those exact sizes on my e36 M3 for a couple years now (w/ Pirelli Snowsport 210) with NO MAJOR PROBLEMS! Yes, in deep snow you have to work a bit more, but it's nothing you can't handle. On the slush and hard pack snow it's just as good as my Accord was on its 195/60R15's. And in the dry, you can't beat a nice wide tire.

That being said, I bought the tires to fit the stock 7.5"F/8.5"R wheels. If you have the chance to pick up some 16x7 rims and run 215 wide tires then go for it. Narrower tires will handle better in deep snow, no doubt. Whatever you do, make sure you go to an empty (snow covered) parking lot and practice skid recovery and all that other fun stuff. Just learn your limitations and then try not to exceed them.

MP

Thanks bud, that's EXACTLY what i wanted to hear. I will be doing city driving, in Pirelli Snowsport 210's 225/45/17 front, 235/45/17 rear, on my contours.. Thanks again... i'll have the nicest winter setup :)

///MP

11-25-2005, 10:42 AM

Thanks bud, that's EXACTLY what i wanted to hear. I will be doing city driving, in Pirelli Snowsport 210's 225/45/17 front, 235/45/17 rear, on my contours.. Thanks again... i'll have the nicest winter setup :)

Are the rims staggered Mirek?

MP

mirek

11-25-2005, 12:44 PM

Are the rims staggered Mirek?

MP

no, but the 235's were the only wheels i could find.

chitown

11-25-2005, 02:17 PM

I'm running 225/50R16 all-seasons, looking to buy winters in a couple days, should I be getting something smaller? What's a recommended size for me?

///MP

11-25-2005, 02:31 PM

no, but the 235's were the only wheels i could find.

That means your Contours are 7.5" wide right? 235's fit on there OK? Like I said, I only went staggered to fit my wheels. Try to find some 225's for your rears and dump the 235's. It's no big deal, but you may find it a bit more balanced in the snow.

///MP

11-25-2005, 02:48 PM

I'm running 225/50R16 all-seasons, looking to buy winters in a couple days, should I be getting something smaller? What's a recommended size for me?

You've got a 328is right? 215/55R16 will fit your stock rims fine. Your speedo will be off slightly because they're just a bit bigger than what you're running now (215/50R16 is actually closer, but don't bother even looking for that odd size!). The 205/55R16 should fit your rim (7" wide...right?) and it won't affect your speedo reading! Plus as mentioned, narrower is better in snow. So, your choices are:
215/55R16
205/55R16

It might be rough (at this busy time of year) finding the brand of tire you want, so take either size you can find.

MP

RumRogerz

11-25-2005, 04:57 PM

well just look at it logically
the more surface you're tires have, they more snow and slippery stuff it's gonna come in contact with. So you might not want that.

chitown

11-25-2005, 05:03 PM

///MP - thanks a lot :)

Ital_325i

11-25-2005, 05:03 PM

oh well, i guess i'll just call and add full insurance to my car just incase.

I laughed

Honestly though, thinner tires are ideal for the snow we get in Toronto. As Justin mentioned, its easier to cut through snow with say a 195 or 205 than a 235.

Take the guy who lies on a bed of nails for example. When he lies down on the bed of nails, he doesnt get stabbed, but if he stood staright up, he would pierce his foot badly. When weight is distributed over a larger surface, there is more stability, but when you cut that surface area smaller, more weight is transfered to the centre(the tire) allowing it to cut into the snow much better.

Storamin

11-25-2005, 05:46 PM

i live in pittsburgh pennsylvania and we don't get snow anywhere near as bad as you guys. with that being said, i have a winter tire mounted on seperate rims for the winter.

same with my z3.

mirek

11-25-2005, 05:47 PM

I understand. If BMW puts 225\235 on winters for an m3, i guess it should be alright for me, anyways i'll be putting the 235's on the rear tonight, i'll let you know how they are when the snow stays :|